The growing tensions between the US and Israel over Israeli settlements. Read more
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East Jerusalem
The growing tensions between the US and Israel over Israeli settlements.
Electronic Borders
Why rich countries are investing in the latest technology to create electronic borders.
Kosovo After Independence
What progress has been made in Kosovo since it declared independence last year?
Russia's Neighbours
A year after its war with Georgia, what relationship does Russia want with its neighbours?
Surviving A Sex Scandal
Lessons from America on how to survive a sex scandal.
Venezuela Media
The government of Hugo Chavez tightens its grip on the media in Venezuela.
Social Networking
Are social networking sites like Facebook changing permanently the way we communicate?
Assisted Dying
Coming up in Analysis: are attitudes changing around the world on the issue of euthanasia?
Olympic Sports
The seven sports contending for a place at the summer Olympics of 2016.
14/08/2009
The background to global news stories, every weekday.
Russian Military
Is the Russian military as powerful as it would like the world to believe?
Afghan Elections
What do the people of Afghanistan expect from the elections being held there this week?
US Afghanistan
What a United States review of the Afghan war effort is likely to recommend.
Graduate Unemployment
How the recession is affecting this year's crop of university graduates.
African Journalism
Why African journalists are opposed to a new organisation designed to protect them.
Iraq Future
How ready are Iraq's politicians for the American withdrawal from their country?
Women Soldiers
Should women in the US Army be sent to fight on the frontline?
The US and Darfur
How tough is the Obama administration likely to be over the issue of Darfur?
Japanese Elections
Will Japan vote for real change in this weekend's elections?
Oligarchs
How have super-rich Russians fared during the world economic crisis?
UK Defence Review
Is Britain still a world power when it comes to its military capabilities?
Mental Health
What is the true cost of mental illness to society?
Chinese Economy
Has China been doing the right things to tackle the global financial crisis?
Fighting in Yemen
Is Yemen facing a national security crisis?
Moral Hazard
What does it take to make bankers change their ways?
US Healthcare Reform
Will President Obama be able to push through bold healthcare reform?
North Caucasus
What lies behind the violence in the Russian North Caucasus region?
Turkey and Armenia
Why are relations between Turkey and Armenia improving?
Change in Zimbabwe
Should the West change its attitude to Zimbabwe?
Government Debt
What's the extent of government debt in the world's most advanced economies?
Democracy and the extreme right
How do democracies respond to the rise of the far right?